Chasing Atlantis (18 page)

“How can you ask me to forgive you, when I couldn’t fight against the fog? Maybe if I had fought harder I could have remembered. I’m the one that needs to be forgiven. Would it be better if I said I’m fully human?”

“No. Don’t you dare beat yourself up over it. There was no chance you could have overpowered Steve at his own game, he’s been doing it for decades. I’m sorry you were involved. Now you know absolutely everything that we know. There is no going back from here. You will inevitably have to make a choice, and soon.” I stared at him open mouthed for a second.

“You know for an intelligent boy you can miss the obvious sometimes.” Ty scowled, confusion dancing across his brothers’ faces.

“Since I’m still here with
you
, wearing
your
necklace, spending time with
your
family, isn’t it obvious what choice I will make? I’m going to pick you.”

Ty’s excited voice was by my ear even though I didn’t see him move. “I would love nothing more than that. That would make me the happiest person on earth.” I wrapped my arms around him in response. I wanted to just enjoy being with him, before something else threatened to rip us apart.

I heard Patrick and Henry’s voices wafting in from the kitchen. I wasn’t sure when they left to give us some time alone, though I was thankful for it. I traced the beige outline of the photo album several times, trying to muster up enough courage to open it.

“You don’t have to open it now.” Ty offered. “Whenever you are ready it will always be here though, just remember that.” In one blurry movement the album was lifted from my lap, safely tucked away from the world. The weight it brought with it lifted off from me as well.

“Ty is it okay of I ask you question?” I shifted around uncomfortably.

“Sure, go ahead Amy. Shoot.” He eyed me suspiciously. I tried to ignore as Patrick and Henry inconspicuously leaned in closed to overhear our conversation.

“I know that you said we were engaged and all. I just need to know—well I mean did we ever… you know…did we have..?” I gestured with my hands.

“N-no!” He stammered quickly, a slight flush forming on his cheeks. “We both agreed that it would be best if we waited until the final decision was made before we did anything like that.” I breathed a sigh of relief. Ty scowled as his two brother’s backs shook with silent chuckles. I could only imagine what they were whispering to each other.

I crunched down noisily on the blackened hockey puck that once resembled a burger. The boys couldn’t have been more right about Patrick’s cooking, it really was awful. Despite the cooking, lunch was a fairly happy occasion. They each took turns telling stories of when we were children. Slowly little images started coming back to me, the haze didn’t seem so scary anymore, it was just something I would have to get through eventually. Henry made stupid jokes throughout the lunch, even Patrick lightened up considerably to laugh at old times.

It was great to watch Ty interact with his family and to be a part of it. Lately I felt distant from everyone, myself included. I’ve never been good at dealing with people around my own age. There was no one that I could discuss these problems with, no one that could have possibly understood what I was going through. I was happy to just forget about everything, even for just a couple of hours. I was more than just content; I was beginning to believe that I finally found my Atlantis in the midst of all the chaos.

At last, the last rays of light faded from the windows cloaking the world in darkness. I knew it would be inevitable but I didn’t want to go home at all costs. Finally it was Ty that spoke my fears.

“
Amy, I think it’s time that we get you home. I don’t like it anymore than you do, but just so they don’t suspect that you know anything right now.”

Great. Home sweet freaking home. I grabbed my bag, but was surprised to see Henry waiting at the door for me instead of Ty.

“I’m afraid I can’t take you to the house tonight. That little distraction we concocted for your parents was a surprise meeting that questioned Adam’s ability to control himself. I’m sure you remember all too clearly what happens when he loses control.” Yes, sadly those images will be burned in to my retinas forever. “Henry is going to take you back to your car, then stand guard for you tonight.”

The floor dropped below me as I grasped his meaning. My fixation to him was far too great now to turn back. I knew that I could face my parents so long as he was there with me. I wasn’t sure if I could do it alone.

“Are you sure I can’t just stay here? I could crash on the couch. I promise I wouldn’t need too much.” I felt ashamed to say me fears out loud, but far too scared not to say them.

Ty wrapped his slippery arms around my waist, pulling me closer. “Don’t be afraid, Amy. I have to be there, and as much as I would love for you to stay I am afraid it isn’t possible. If you don’t go home they will know for sure that something is wrong, and they will come looking for you. We don’t want an angry vampire mob banging on our door. It might wake the neighbors.” I smiled weakly at his joke. It wasn’t enough to ease my fears but I didn’t want him thinking I was a baby either.

I decided to put on a brave face. “Okay, I guess I’ll see you later.” I nodded.

I started to pull back when his I felt his lips press against my cheek for the shortest of seconds. He pulled back to look at my shocked face. “Your attempt at casualty was quite sad but still I’ll come visit as soon as I can. In the meantime try not to freak out
about all this.”

That
is easier said than done. I’ve never been more freaked out in all my life, and I’m just supposed to do what? Read some drippy girly magazine that will tell me how to do my nails and hair? Ugh. He is being completely unreasonably right now, because he is acting totally logical. Stupid boys.

The drive back to my car was a quiet one. Henry was content to just hum along with any song that was on the radio, leaving me to my thoughts. Bless his heart.

“Hey Henry?” I asked. “Gaby’s fiancée getting sick, does it have anything to do with… with Mom and Steve’s abilities?”

His childlike face hardened a bit but he did confirm my fears. “Yes, they did it so that she would do anything they wanted. A sick practice but very effective. I must commend them on that.” One thing I liked about Henry was that he was always completely honest with me. At points possibly too honest, but at least he wasn’t worried about freaking me out.

When we reached my car I felt my pulse race. Henry parked the car silently next to mine, turning his powerful eyes to my face. My fingers turned furiously in my now matted hair, I was helpless.

“You can do this. I know you can. You have faced so much today, so bravely, if your mom could see clearly she would be so proud of you. I need you to believe in yourself now. No one else can do this for you.” I wanted so desperately to believe him, it didn’t help me any that his eyes actually glowed while he spoke to me. I actually believed I could do it. I stepped purposefully out of the car, walking bravely to my own.

“I should be out near your house before you even get home. No worries!” Then he gunned it out of sight.

As soon as he was out of sight so was my courage. I jumped into my car, blasting down the road as quickly as possible. Not that it was hard, mind you. Vero Beach practically rolls up the sidewalks at nine. This city is so dull. That’s what I used to think, anyways.

I mumbled thanks to God when I pulled in the driveway and Steve’s car was gone. I assumed that meant Mom would be with him. I slammed the door and flew up the stairs. I paused in the living room to find Gaby in a catatonic state on the couch. I moved my hand in front of her face with no response. I sighed, when I realized there was nothing I could do. I covered her with a blanket and tried to bend her strong frame into a more comfortable position.

So that was it then, a trade. I could keep my family if I lost my soul, or I could keep my soul and lose my family. There would be no compromising on either part. My limbs actually felt heavy as I mulled it over. A strange mix of despair and anger rooted itself deep in my heart. There was no doubt that I would be changed after this.

For better or worse I will be
changed.

15.

Far Away

Damn. Damn. And triple damn. Where did I put my stupid cell phone? I searched groggily for a few minutes, in the dim light, listening to the very annoying upbeat ring tone for the third time. I had just fallen asleep and it never fails; the dreaded phone call.

Ahah! There it is. How did it get under my sandal? Some things are better left undiscovered. I groaned loudly. My cell phone showed that it was my dad calling. Not exactly the phone call I’d been waiting for.

“Hello?” I asked sleepily. I was definitely not in the mood.

“Hey pumpkin!” His loud voice startled me at first. I hadn’t quite recovered my senses. “I haven’t heard from you in a few days. I was getting worried about you. How is everything?”

Hmm. A very tricky question, indeedy. On the one hand I wanted to burst out with: gee dad, everything is swell. By the way, Mom left you because a vampire brainwashed her so he could get to me. They want to damn my soul for all eternity for their own selfish purposes, and the love of my life is no where to be found, plus I’m worried to death about his safety.

However, if I did say that I would probably be locked in the looneybin for the rest of my life, which would probably make it easier for Mom and Steve to take my soul. So I stuck with the usual answer.

“Good. Everything is good. How about yourself?” I hate myself for chickening out.

“Oh, I’ve been good honey. Just won a very big case so I’m very excited. Maybe they’ll mention it on the news out there.”

Funny. Like I watch the news.

“Well actually a lot of stuff has been happening. Your school sent a letter and they want you to…” I wasn’t really listening. I paced the room as I oohed, and ahed, at all the right places.

I really wanted to focus on the human things, things that should have mattered to me. But they didn’t. Everything else appeared to be so insignificant after what I’d learned today. The only important thing left was to keep my soul, and stay with Ty.

“That’s everything baby. Well, look how the time flies. I didn’t mean to keep you up this late. Your ole dad was just so happy he had to call his favorite little girl.”

“I’m your only little girl, Dad.” I couldn’t help but smiling.

“Even so. I better get to bed. Back to work in the morning. Love you, and tell your mom I said hello.”

I cringed internally at the thought of ever having to speak to my mom again. It was kind of sweet that Dad still asked me to say hello for him. He really did still love her deep down. I hit the brakes on my thoughts before I started to drift off on what my life would have been like if Steve had never seen what used to be my mom.

“Love you too dad. Hope to talk to you soon.” If I’m still alive.

Silence.

I picked up my alarm clock before flopping back down on my bed, now fully awake. It was midnight, and still no word from Ty. When I first got home I opened and closed my balcony doors fifteen times before I finally felt confident enough to leave them open. Henry rolled his eyes at my diffidence, once he finally showed his hiding place to me in the ocean. I believe he mouthed the word “baby” to me, before sinking back to the black abyss.

My skin actually felt like it was crawling with the anxiety I felt. It took me an hour to finally calm myself down enough to fall asleep. Now I was wired, with absolutely nothing to do but sit there and worry.

I shot up in bed when I realized I hadn’t felt the garage door open since I’ve been home. Even though my bedroom is on the third floor I always woke up when I felt the slight tremor of the door opening up.

Nothing.

I tried playing music, but I got too worried that I wouldn’t be able to hear if Ty needed me or if my parents walked in on me and tried something. I picked up some old magazines, but my eyes didn’t see any thing as I “looked” through them. I think this is what it must feel like to go insane.

Crap.

The gentle vibration of the garage set my heart ablaze. I ran out to the balcony, scanning for any sign of Henry. I twirled my hair in a mad frenzy. The water remained calm. There wasn’t even so much as a ripple. Stupid jerk. He couldn’t even spare one minute of his precious time to reassure me. Some guardian he turned out to be.

Please go away. Please just leave me alone.

I had just positioned myself in the bed with the covers safely tucked all around me. I turned all the lights off in my room, with the exception of my bathroom light that threw a dull mustard color on the grotesquely pink room.

Please just leave me alone. I don’t want anything to do with you.

My heart beat raced. I tried to control my breathing by doing that thing where you count to fifty to distract your mind. Yeah, it doesn’t work.

I don’t think I can handle this anymore.

The door flew open, cascading my room in a flood of yellow light. I wanted to pretend I was asleep but my eyes snapped open to stare open mouthed at Mom. Traitors.

Once again she was dressed in a white full length gown, with pink sequins shimmering in the bright light. Her white-blond hair was curled and p
inned in an older, yet still flattering, fashion. I couldn’t but be entranced at her beauty. There was something dark about it, something just below the surface that I had never been able to put my finger on, until now.

She practically floated to my bed, placing her ice-cube fingers on top of mine. I flinched in response. Luckily she didn’t put much thought into it. Thank the Lord.

“I’m sorry darling. I thought you would still be awake by now. Usually you stay awake for hours, doing whatever it is you do in here.” She eyed my untidy room disdainfully. It wasn’t anywhere near as messy as most of my friends, but not the spotless room she would want me to keep either.

“I just wanted you to know that Steve and I are back home now. Our club meeting ran a tad bit late.” That has to be the biggest understatement of my life. That meeting had been going on since before I woke up. “So, what is it that you did today? It obviously wasn’t cleaning up your room. That’s for sure.” She neatly stacked the cups that I was hoarding in my room.

“Um—mm.” Crap. What to say? “It was a nice day outside so I drove over to the beach, then I took a walk. You know, looking at some of the guys, and what not. After that I was hungry so I got lunch. I mostly just hung out down there until it got dark.” Okay. Not a complete lie.

“Mmm. I see.” Was the only reply she gave me. She tried to smooth out my bedspread, with me still in it. “We ran into the Greys while we were at the club.” She said absently. I wondered how long she’d been keeping that one in. I hadn’t mentioned Adam’s name at all after “the incident,” as I now referred to it.

“Oh, hmm.”

“Adam is dying to see you again.”

I bet he is. May he rest in hell.

“Oh. That’s nice, but I don’t think I want to go on a date with him again.” Mom’s eyes flashed steely at me. I had to play it cool. I didn’t want to upset her, no telling what my punishment might be.

“Well, I think that he deserves another chance, and I’ve told him that you will go out with him tomorrow night. So you need to get over whatever little issue that you have with him right now. He is a perfectly fine gentleman.” I had never been given a direct order before.

“No. I don’t think I will.” I wasn’t prepared for the anger that overwhelmed me. The whole night I had expected fear, and maybe even sadness. Not this.

My hands visibly shook with the effort to keep my temper in check. Arguments are won by logic, not anger. I tried to keep that in mind.

“Young lady, they are family friends and kind people. Adam is a sweet boy, and I will not stand by and watch you turn him away.” Her dark eyes glowered at me from her milky skin. Try as she might she didn’t scare me. The Mom I knew was gone, leaving behind a greedy silhouette of what I once knew.

“You will have nothing to do with my love life. It is after all, my life, not yours. So get out of it, and get your own damn life!” I practically screeched at her. I shifted on to my knees so that she could see my body shaking with anger. She took a step back from me.

My breathing was becoming more ragged by the second. I had never felt more powerful, yet helpless in my life. I was on the verge of losing control.

Mom very calmly walked to the balcony and shut the doors. I watched as a cold shiver trickled down my spine.

I was completely alone, in a house full of angry vampires.

Perfect.

I tried to suppress the startling visions of her turning on me, her teeth just inches from my neck about to snap down. I instinctively began to shift away. She stared at me for a long moment before she spoke. I couldn’t help but notice that her teeth looked a bit more pointy than usual, but it was probably just my subconscious interfering with my vision.

“Do not make me repeat myself. You will go out with Adam, and you will treat him with the respect he deserves.” She hissed the words.

“You would like that, wouldn’t you? Go ahead. Make me! I dare you!” I yelled back.

Her eyes opened wide in shock, her nostrils flared a little bit. I had never stood up to her before now. I had just been the door mat for everything she wanted to throw at me. Not now. Not again. This mattered more than my own life.

Steve’s silent body slinked into the open door. My stomach turned loops. Bump. Bump. Bump. My heart accelerated to match my thoughts. Steve’s stone face hardened to a snicker. I assumed he could hear my heart racing.

“What’s all the commotion about ladies?” He silently placed one hand on Mom’s shoulder. For a moment I had an instinct to tell him to keep his filthy dead hands to himself. I thought better of it.

“Steve, I’m just trying to get Amy Jane to keep on open mind about Adam. They would be so great for each other. I was only trying to help.” She made her voice as whiny and pathetic as possible. I felt sick. A few years ago I envied my mom, now I only pitied her. It’s interesting how things change.

“Is that true Amy?” His commanding voice thundered deep in his chest.

“Yes. I. Am. Not. Going. Out. With. Adam. End of story.” I annunciated each word to make it sound like its own separate sentence. I tried to keep my voice as even and authoritative as Steve’s.

Silence.

Not one person flinched away. Steve was the one to break the silence.

“Well sweetie, we can not force her to accept Adam.” I’m not sure who looked more shocked, me or her. “However, we can ground her for being rude to our guests and, for showing horrific manners to us.” It actually felt like my jaw had come unhinged.

“You mean you are going to ground me for not dating someone?! What kind of parenting skills is that?” I dug my fingernails into my pillow. I think I may have officially lost it.

“Good night, Amy. Maybe this will give you some time to think about how you should speak to us. Not to mention your attitude towards our friends.”

Steve’s hard metallic smile will be burned into my brain for as long as I live. In one graceful movement he twirled Mom out of the room, following her out like a dark shadow. The door shut with a soft thud. I realized with a half laugh that my right hand was reaching for my necklace, tucked safely away under my shirt. How ironic.

I chucked the pillow at the door with all my strength. I could practically hear Steve chuckling at my futile attempts of anger. My blood was on fire. I immediately ran to the balcony doors, throwing them open to their fullest extent, allowing the cool sea air to swirl around me.

I glared angrily at the ocean for a long time. I just stood there thinking about how my life had turned out. I didn’t necessarily feel sorry for myself. I knew that I liked Ty way too much to regret anything that involved him. I was just sad that my parents only used me as a tool for their own selfish plans.

After a while my anger slowly faded away to anxiety on when Ty would call. A few hours had already past since I last spoke to him. I was feeling very jittery already. I don’t think I could take much more of this.

In a sad attempt to distract myself I called up about ten of my friends. Only three of them answered. I guessed the rest of them were asleep, or out doing only God-knows-what, like normal teenagers. Not grounded because they refused to give up their soul for their no good parents. Lucky jerks.

I mostly just sat and listened to their complaints, while pretending that everything was fine with my summer. The only real thing I said the whole conversation was that I had met an old childhood friend and that we really liked each other. No, I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future; hence why it is called “the future.” I didn’t say that to them though. I tried to pretend like a good friend.

Far away. That was the only way to describe how I felt since I had arrived at Vero Beach. Not just because I was far away physically from all my friends. Mentally I had changed so much I wasn’t sure I could ever face them again. Things like school projects, dances, and dates just lost all of their importance. Life isn’t measured in how you behave in high school, but rather how you survive the world. I was beginning to mature in a much quicker way than I ever thought possible.

“So, how have you taken your break up with Greg?” My friend Eileen asked.

“Who?” Was my only reply.

I had actually forgotten about him for the time being, except to pity him for being dragged in to my family’s deranged plans. He was never really that awful to me, to be perfectly honest. Maybe if I survived this we could even be friends one day. Maybe.

Secretly I wondered what would have happened if I told them the truth about my life. I guessed they would laugh and tell me to stop watching horror movies. The conversations lasted forever in my opinion. Though it didn’t really matter because in the end I never heard a word they said.